Bruce Museum exhibit uses darkness to enlighten

Christina Hennessy

Published 1:04 pm, Thursday, January 23, 2014

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 1of/6

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 6

The Bruce Museum will be celebrating the world of nocturnal animals and creatures that live in the dark during a more than two-month exhibition that comes from the Cinncinnati Museum Center. "In the Dark: Animal Survival Strategies," which opens Jan. 25, 2014, at the Greenwich, Conn., museum, features such habitats as this forest, caves and a typical backyard. For more information on additional programs, hours or admission fees, call 203-869-0376 or visit www.brucemuseum.org. less

The Bruce Museum will be celebrating the world of nocturnal animals and creatures that live in the dark during a more than two-month exhibition that comes from the Cinncinnati Museum Center. "In the Dark: ... more

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 2 of 6

The interior of a cave, as recreated in this walk-through diorama, will be among the habitats on view when "In the Dark: Animal Survival Strategies" opens at the Bruce Museum on Jan. 25, 2014. The exhibition, which explores the lives of nocturnal creatures and those who live in dark habitats, runs through April 2014. For more information, visit www.brucemuseum.org. less

The interior of a cave, as recreated in this walk-through diorama, will be among the habitats on view when "In the Dark: Animal Survival Strategies" opens at the Bruce Museum on Jan. 25, 2014. The exhibition, ... more

When night falls, a whole host of creatures large and small begin to creep and peep, but don't expect them to sleep. For nocturnal animals, the evening is their busiest time.

"This exhibit is all about what comes out at night," said Robin Garr, director of education at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, where "In the Dark: Animal Survival Strategies" opened this weekend. The show, which comes from the Cincinnati Museum Center, also shows those species that live in the dark their whole lives, either deep in the soil or in the cracks and crevices of a cave.

The overall goal of the exhibition, which runs through April, is to show visitors why animals have evolved to a nocturnal lifestyle or dark habitat, and the myriad ways they have adapted when it comes to finding food, avoiding predators, moving about and making their homes. That knowledge can be gleaned through interactive displays, taxidermy specimens and realistic, walk-through dioramas. Visitors, for instance, can learn how bats use sonar to locate prey or how animals deep in the soil must use other senses, such as touch and smell, to navigate their way.

And when it comes to the environment, one finds in the gallery, human visitors may need to adapt, too.

"This is an immersive exhibition," said Garr. "We put you in the dark."

Anne von Stuelpnagel, the museum's director of exhibitions, said the show should be a novel experience.

"We have never done a show this dark," she said.

Visitors will have a chance to experience several habitats, including a swampy patch, a deep forest and caves, as they are viewed by their inhabitants.

"This is all about seeing how animals thrive and survive in the dark," said Kevin Kunz of the Cincinnati Museum Center, during a recent morning. He was on hand at the museum to help the staff assemble the exhibition's many pieces.

Despite the lack of light, Garr said the show offers a great deal of illumination about creatures humans rarely see. As such, she said there will be programs scheduled that will run in conjunction with area schools, as well as several daylong workshops during the February school vacation week (Feb. 10-14).

"We'll have some live creatures of the night here," she said, such as bats, owls and a sloth.

Garr said the displays feature a mix of species, some common to Connecticut, such as skunks, bobcats, coyotes and bats. And others are a bit more exotic.

"We do hope this helps people know what to look for," she said, adding that it also speaks to the idea of environmental stewardship that is at the heart of many of the museum's shows.

The idea is to dispel the fear visitors may have about night creatures and to point out their importance to the ecosystem.

Garr said she is sure people simply will enjoy the effect of experiencing the mystery of the dark.

"We are very excited about it," she said.

Christina.hennessy@scni.com; Twitter: @xtinahennessy

If you go

Bruce Museum, One Museum Drive, Greenwich. Through Sunday, April 13. Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. $7, adults; $6, students (up to 22) and seniors, free for members and children under 5. Individual admission is free Tuesdays. 203-869-0376, www.brucemuseum.org.